Child Marriage in India: Progress, Risks and the Work Ahead
Bharatmorning.com – Child marriage has declined significantly in India over the past three decades, but millions of girls remain vulnerable as the 2030 deadline to end the practice approaches. More than one-third of child brides worldwide live in India, and roughly one in five Indian women aged 20 to 24 were married before they turned 18.
National progress is substantial: prevalence has fallen from more than 50 per cent in 1996 to just over 20 per cent today. However, experts warn that a national average can hide sharp differences between states, districts, rural areas and cities.
Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, West Bengal, Maharashtra and Madhya Pradesh account for more than half of the country’s early marriages. Progress in these states will be especially important to reducing the risks faced by girls who leave school early, experience financial hardship or have little influence over decisions about their futures.
Investing in Girls’ Rights
International Day of the Girl Child has renewed attention on the need to support girls throughout adolescence. The theme, “End Child Marriage and Invest in Girls’ Rights,” highlights the importance of education, health, safety, skills and opportunities that allow girls to make informed choices about their lives.
“This year’s International Day of the Girl Child theme, End Child Marriage and Invest in Girls’ Rights, calls for sustained investments throughout adolescence so that girls stay in school, remain healthy and safe, build skills, access opportunities and exercise agency over decisions that affect their lives,” UNICEF India Representative Cynthia McCaffrey said.
India’s gains have been linked to continuing efforts across education, health, nutrition, child protection and social protection. Deepening these systems is vital in communities where poverty and social expectations still contribute to early marriage.
“India has made important progress in advancing girls’ rights and reducing child marriage through sustained efforts across education, health and nutrition, child protection, and social protection. Progress will accelerate by deepening these investments while also strengthening girls’ voice, agency and participation,” McCaffrey said.
She also stressed that girls should be recognised as active participants in development, not merely as recipients of assistance. Safe spaces, confidence, skills and chances to lead can strengthen families, communities and society more broadly.
Why Local Action Matters
The decline in child marriage is encouraging, but it does not mean the challenge has been solved. Puja Marwaha, CEO of CRY-Child Rights and You, said national figures can obscure major differences between states and between rural and urban communities.
“The decline is encouraging, but it also means that around one in five young women in India still experienced marriage before adulthood. More importantly, the national average masks significant differences across states and between rural and urban areas,” she said.
For families facing severe economic insecurity, marrying a daughter early may be seen as a response to immediate hardship. Ravi Kant, National Convenor at Just Rights for Children, said the practice remains more common among poorer income groups.
“It is the poorest who decide to marry off their daughters early because they cannot feed them and provide for their lives, and therefore, the success of various government schemes also come into play,” he said.
This means prevention requires more than legal enforcement. Access to education, healthcare, nutrition, social protection and community support can help families keep girls in school and postpone marriage.
Legal Protection and Community Support
Child marriage is prohibited in India. Under the Prohibition of Child Marriage Act, a marriage involving a girl below 18 years of age or a boy below 21 is classified as child marriage. Laws are important, but their impact depends on awareness, timely reporting and support for girls and families at risk.
Teachers, health workers, local authorities, community groups and families can all play a role in identifying warning signs, including school dropout, sudden marriage arrangements and financial pressure. Listening to girls and ensuring they can continue their education are central to prevention.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the legal age of marriage in India? A girl must be at least 18 years old and a boy must be at least 21 years old to marry under the Prohibition of Child Marriage Act.
What should someone do if a child marriage is being planned? They should seek help quickly from local child-protection authorities, the police, a trusted teacher, a health worker or a recognised child-rights organisation. Early intervention can help protect the child and connect the family with support.
How can communities help prevent child marriage? Communities can encourage girls’ education, challenge harmful social norms, help families access available support schemes and create safe ways for girls to speak about concerns affecting their future.